Man arrested in deadly ‘ambushstyle shooting’

A 27-year-old Trotwood man was arrested by Dayton police Thursday in connection to a May deadly shooting in Dayton.

He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a preliminary murder charge, as well as warrants for carrying a concealed weapon, having weapons while under disability and improper handling of a firearm, according to Dayton police.

Police responded around 3:20 a.m. May 29 to a shooting at a shopping center parking lot at 2152 N. Gettysburg Ave.

Reinaldo Gomez Taylor, 33, of Dayton, was killed in what Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns described as an “ambushstyle shooting.”

Police did not get much cooperation from the public. Johns previously said he counted around 342 cars in the parking lot at the time of the shooting and that multiple people left without talking to police.

Video footage and great detective work helped investigators identify and arrest the suspect, he said.

“We solve more murders with help by the community than we do by DNA and things like that,” Johns said. “That’s why it’s so crucial for people to be involved in their community and to speak up and say something when they see something like that.”

Thursday’s arrest was made with assistance by the Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office, Trotwood police, Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and Safe Street Task Force. across the region will have increased patrols planned throughout the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

“We will be out doing enhanced traffic enforcement looking for those impaired drivers, looking for those aggressive drivers, those distracted drivers and basically trying to educate the public and drivers on the conditions they’re causing by being distracted, by being impaired, by speeding and those sort of things,” said Sgt. Gordon Cairns, the Dayton Police Department’s traffic services unit supervisor.

He also advised motorists to call 911 if they spot a suspected impaired driver, and to try to report as many details about the car, such as its license plate, direction of travel and make, model.

When celebrating the holiday, people should not forget making ride arrangements to avoid impaired driving.

“Be sure to have a plan to get home,” Cairns said.

Also, anyone who hosts a party should make sure guests have a way to get home safely.